Casimie l



( Model.)

0. L. WEEK. CANDLE MACHINE. 2841785 Patented Sept. 11, 1883.

Nv PETERS. Phnm-Lilhagnphar, Wahinglun. D. c.

[NITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CANDLE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 284,785, dated September 11, 1883.

Application filed June 19, 1883. (No model.)

lb aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, CASIMIR L. WERK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oincinnati, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Candle-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

I My invention relates to candle-machines, its object being to improve the same in respect of means for more perfectly centering the wicks in the'candlcs and preventing displacement of the same in severing the otherwise continuous wicking between successive molds, whereby a more perfect candle is produced and much less wastage occurs in the process of manufacture, as less cutting is required in reaching a perfect candle-base.

To the accomplishment of these ends my invention consists in providing the candle-machine with a movable frame or frames provided with a gang or gangs of needles which are projected across the mouths of the mold-apertures and form guide-stops to hold the wicks in the central axis of the molds independently of the position of the candle-frame.

Mechanism embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of one of the ordinary continuous wick-machines. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same; Fig. 3, a plan View, all the above having. my improvement attached; and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views, in section, of the mouth of the mold with needles and wicks in position.

Referring to the drawings herewith, A designates the supporting-frame of the candle-machine; a, the cooling-box in which the molds V are situated; B, the elevatingframe for 'forcing the candles out of the molds; O, the bobbinbox for the storage and feeding of the wicks.

The general construction and use of the machine are such as are customary, and require no lengthy description. The melted material being poured into the shallow trough constituting the top a of the cooling-box a, passes thence downward into the molds, and after cooling and hardening the frame B is elevated, and the candles, being thereby forced out of their molds, are received into a wooden frame, D, and held until the wicks are cut.

The frame D is intended to fit the top a between guide-stops with such nicety as to cencandles; but by wear of use and want-of care in adjustment the wicks are often out of their proper axial position, and defective candles are the consequence, besides which, as a par.-

tial remedy for the average inaccuracy in this regard, the candle is made much longer than is ultimately required for use, and a consider- 6o able portion of the base cut away with a view of preserving that portion in which the wick is more nearly centered, all of which entails loss in the manufacture, both in time and material.

In adapting my improvement to existing candle-machines I construct two rectangular frames, E E, open at one side, and arrange them, as exhibited in Figs. 2 and 3, to embrace the box a at opposite sides and move inward 7c and outward in opposite directions in suitable guides, e e e e, at the ends of the box a. The frames E E are placed a little distance apart and correspondingly provided with ratchetteeth, as shown in Fig. 2, for operation by a spur-pinion, f, operated by a hand-crank, f, upon a shaft, 8, extended through the box a, and provided with a similar spur-gear, f, at the opposite end of the shaft for simultaneous engagement and actuation of the frames E E 8 0 at both sides. By this construction the frames are, by the'rotation. of the spur-gears in one direction, driven simultaneously apart, and by an inverse rotation are drawn together. To

the long side of each of the frames is attached a series of needles or stiff wires parallel to each other and the ends of the frames. These needlesg are arranged to pass through corresponding perforations in the side walls of the trough,

above the top plate, a, and in furrows or 0 grooves formed therein to guide the needles to and beyond the mold-aperatures, as indicated in Fig. 3. To facilitate such action a false bottom or thinplate, a", which may have the grooves on its under side, is secured upon 5 the plate a, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, the open grooves thus constituting a guideway for the needles, so arranged as to guide the. needles across the mold-apertures alongside of the wick-axis, each needle passing through two or more apertures.

The operation is as follows: The needles bein mu v ing withdrawn, the frame B is elevated and the candles received and held in the ordinary containing-frame D, which is then moved endwise across the line of the needles to bring the succeeding wicking away from the path of the needles, and the latter then returned to position across the aperture by'man'ipulation of the crank f and frames E. This being done, the frame D is then moved in the opposite di-v rection, bringing the lower wicking against the needles, whereby it is centered in the molds. below. Melted material being then poured in and allowed to cool, the wicking is then out between the old and new set of candles in a direction across the needles, which thus maintain-the wicking against displacement. The shallow trough is then cleaned of the surplus material by the ordinary scoops, in which process also the needles maintainthe wick against displacement, and the needles are then withdrawn by movement of their containing-frames and the former operations repeated.

Itwould be possible by using needles of double length to use but one movable frame actuated at one side only of the coolingbox; but the arrangement shown is on all accounts preferable. l

I claim as my invention and desire to see'ure by Letters Patent mechanism for simultaneously projecting them across the mouths of the candle-molds, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

' 2. In a candle-machine of the character described, one or more frames, E, provided with mechanism for guiding and impellingthe same in a horizontal plane, and carrying a gang or gangs of needles adapted by such movement to dle-machine, the frames E E, provided with needles 9, guides e e, and driving-shaft s, provided with spur-gears ff and crank f, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CASIMIR L. WEEK.

Witnesses:

L. M. HOSEA, A. HAMILTON. 

